Next weekend I'll participate in a relay triathlon (1100 mts. swim, 7 kms. run and 13 kms. MTB). I'll be doing the bike section, which is the last. Bike needs to be at the boxes area an hour before the start of the race. I guess I'll start riding about 40 minutes from the start of the race. That's around 100+ minutes since I leave the bike at the box. What can I do to warm up during this time or to start at full power without needing to warm up? I thought about riding a few kms. before parking the bike at the boxes, would it be effective after such a long break?

2 Answers
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If possible, borrow a second bike, and perhaps a trainer. There is very little that you can do to effectively warm up in a cycling effective way, other than ride. A light jog, and some stretching is the second best option.

It is a short enough ride for that to suffice, if it is your best available option.

Thanks, I think I'll have to make it with the 2nd option. And maybe also riding a little bit before "locking" the bike.
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Narcís CalvetJun 28 '11 at 16:31

Did a test on the circuit today with very little leg stretching before starting and result was pretty decent. Not very good feelings as I had a too heavy meal for lunch though.
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Narcís CalvetJun 30 '11 at 20:58

However, the purpose of a warm up is two fold. One get your aerobic system going, and second to get exercise specific muscles warmed up.

For the first, you can go for a light jog (not in your bike shoes please!) and for the second, it is best to ride to match the muscles, and running muscles are sufficiently different, that I would focus on a light jog, not too long (10-15 minutes) and not much more.

Thanks. Yes, it's a short ride but I think I get the best of me after a few kilometers on my legs. Yesterday I did 2 laps at the circuit and I felt I could handle more power on the second one when I has already "warm".
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Narcís CalvetJun 28 '11 at 16:33

Moreover, the uphill parts are on the first half of the circuit, the second half is mostly flat.
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Narcís CalvetJun 28 '11 at 16:38